He Will Calm Our Fears

Jesus replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him.’’ Matthew 8: 26 – 27

How many times we let anxiety turn into fear! What a powerful emotion it is as it defies logical thinking! Yet, circumstances in our lives and in our world can become so frightening and overwhelming that we can begin to question God and lose trust in His loving care.

Can’t you just hear Him saying to us, “Oh, you of little faith, why are you so afraid?”  How can we ever doubt our God, who can even tame the winds and the storms of life!

One of the most well-known stories of Jesus and his disciples is the one in which they cross the Sea of Galilee during a storm and Jesus calms the winds. Both the Gospels of Matthew and Mark record this event to remind us that Jesus is always “in the boat” with us, and with Him by our side, how can we ever be afraid?

From these passages we can almost visualize the story and wonder if perhaps because of all the crowds that had been following Him around, Jesus needed some privacy or just some quiet time, so He suggested a trip across the Galilee. A furious storm suddenly appeared with great winds, water splashing into their small fishing boat, and it quickly became a life-threatening situation. These fishermen who were used to storms on the sea and had probably survived many, became filled with fear and were probably much dismayed to find Jesus sleeping. Filled with despair, they asked, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Jesus immediately got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (Mark 4: 38 -39)

The disciples were amazed by His power and authority and wondered at this man who could even calm the winds and the waves.

Like the disciples, we too may find ourselves in the midst of many storms in life – the problems, challenges, and difficulties that can bring anxiety and fear. But we, too, can experience God’s presence even in the midst of them if we look to Him. In the stormy circumstances we face, He is always with us and so is His Word which can give us peace, hope, and assurance. And whatever they may bring, He will calm our fears and carry us through.

 Prayer

Dear Lord, may we always find you in the midst of our storms, ready to calm our fears and soothe our troubled hearts. May our fear turn to faith and trust in you. Amen